Reaction statement to DfE weekly report on attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus outbreak. Joanna Rea, Director of Advocacy at Unicef UK says:

Reaction statement to DfE weekly report on attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus outbreak.

Joanna Rea, Director of Advocacy at Unicef UK says:

“There is no doubt that the continuation of school closures will impact all children in the UK, especially vulnerable and disadvantaged children for whom school is a place of security. While there has been a marked increase in the past week in the attendance of children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and those who have a social worker, we remain concerned about the thousands more still out of school.

“Of the schools that normally accept Reception, Year 1 and/or Year 6 pupils, only about half were open on 4 June – suggesting that schools continue to be anxious about reopening. This is reiterated by teachers in our recent survey, which found that over 90% were concerned about keeping pupils and staff safe from Coronavirus. Given this, we continue to encourage the Government to meaningfully engage with children, teachers, parents and other stakeholders to develop the schools reopening process, particularly as the decision has been made not to reopen all primary schools to all pupils before the summer holidays.

“It is also crucial that the Government continues to support children’s home education, particularly in relation to digital connectivity, by redoubling efforts to ensure all children are learning while at home. We urge the Government to continue to act to protect children from the impact of the pandemic and ensure it does not cast a long shadow on their futures.”

For more information, please contact:

Yemi Lufadeju, T: + 44 073 9101 7115 E: [email protected]

Unicef UK Media Team, 0207 375 6030, [email protected] 

About Unicef

Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories, including the UK, to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children. As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK.

For more information please visit unicef.org.uk 

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